October 19th

October 19, 2011

Elk County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a budget revision for the Elk County Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program and Narrative.
"This is a follow-up revision from one that we did roughly 60 days ago," said Richard Gavazzi, a housing and program specialist for the county's planning department. "As we're nearing the end of the grant program, budget revisions need to be made to allocate the final program dollars through each specific category."

October 19, 2011

By

Amy Cherry

The 12-member jury in the Lawrence Earl Donachy homicide trial continued their deliberations for eight hours on Wednesday and reported no verdict as the trial recessed for the day at 5 p.m.
Deliberations will continue Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at the Elk County Courthouse as President Judge Richard Masson presides over the hearing.

October 18th

October 18, 2011

By

Amy Cherry

A 12-member jury did not reach a verdict on Tuesday following nearly 5.5 hours of deliberation in the homicide trial of Lawrence Earl Donachy, 36, of St. Marys. Deliberations will continue this morning beginning at 9 a.m., where the jury will decide the fate of Donachy, who is charged with one count each of criminal homicide, rape, burglary, aggravated assault, criminal attempt at arson and unlawful restraint in the April 5-6, 1999 rape and murder of Irene Challingsworth, a 57-year-old St. Marys beautician.

October 18, 2011

By

Gian DeLoia

The Ridgway Borough Council voted in favor of postponing their civil complaint hearing against the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad for building code violations to the Pennsy Railroad Station.
The hearing that was scheduled for Thursday with District Magistrate Judge George A. King will now be postponed until after Nov. 21.
Council reported receiving a letter from B&P Railroad property manager William Gentilman requesting the postponement to allow time for the railroad to reach a final resolution.

October 18, 2011

By

Gian DeLoia

JOHNSONBURG â€“ Uni-Tec engineer Dan Guss reported that the wastewater treatment plant is complete and in operation during Tuesday night's Johnsonburg Municipal Authority meeting.
"The plant is complete, is in operation, and is producing high quality effluent and biosolids," Guss said.
According to Guss, the plant has been in full operation since May 31.
A number of contractor punch list items remain to be completed.
"The punch list items remaining do not inhibit plant operation and are, on a relative basis, minor items," Guss said.

October 18, 2011

By

Gian DeLoia

Ridgway Township Supervisor chairman John Gardner said roadwork on Long Level Road [Route 4003] from Johnsonburg to Montmorenci is expected to continue until mid-November.
"They will be doing pipe replacements and a lot of adjustments," Gardner said. "Expect delays and watch for flaggers."
Repairs will be made to the shoulder and guard rails will be updated.
Paving will continue along the 4.5 miles.
"That is a lot of work to do by mid-November," said supervisor Sarah Dickinson.
In other business, building plans for the Montmorenci property will be available in the office.

October 17th

October 17, 2011

By

Gian DeLoia

During Monday's night's Ridgway Borough Council meeting environmental manager Paul McCurdy reported receiving a letter from the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] demanding information relative to brine treatment at the wastewater plant.
According to McCurdy, EPA officials gave the the borough officials five days to respond and 15 days for a more detailed response.

October 17, 2011

During her senior year, Bryton Dybowski received her Girl Scouts Gold Award for creating an outdoor haven for the students at Francis S. Grandinetti Elementary School.
Dybowski is the daughter of Steve and Luann Dybowski of Ridgway and the granddaughter of Alan and Gloria Chileski of Ridgway.
Earning her Gold Award, Dybowski has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who also received her Gold Award.
"My mom got her Gold Award when she was younger," Dybowski said. "She pushed me to do these things and I wanted to follow what she did."

October 17, 2011

By

Amy Cherry

As the second week of the trial of Lawrence Earl Donachy commenced Monday morning, testimony concluded and jurors began the day with a field trip to St. Marys, where they were shown various sites of interest pertaining to the trial. Donachy, 36, is accused of the April 5-6, 1999 rape and murder of 56-year-old St. Marys beautician Irene Challingsworth at her home on 213 Walnut St.

October 16th

October 16, 2011

Always sisters, now a part of each other.
Maria Savino, sister of Frances DiIulio (aka Chickie), donated her kidney to save her sisterâ€™s life in April 2011. Savino was an absolute perfect match for her sister.Â
In quoting Helen Keller, Savino says, â€śThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.â€ť